Workmen's advocate., 1887-01-15
DIPLOMATIC DANA.
THE NEW YORK "SUN'S" "OPIN-
 ION OF SOCIALISTS.
Dana and Powderly are "Out'-Tel. ling Truths With Evil Intent. Something to Defend-Men
 0fStrOng Convictions.
 Bound to Win.

The following remarkable editorial we clip from the New York Sun. edited by Charles A. Dana, rank capitalist and not particular friend of the labor organizations, still less of the socialist element in those organizations:
 In a letter written some time ago, though only lately published Mr, Pow derly declares that the 'curse of the Knights of Labor has come from the promptness with which acknowledged leaders of the socialistic element have put themselves forward at meetings, and, while speaking, plainly hinted at the musket and the Calling gun as the reme- dy for labor's grievances"
 But why, Mir, Powderly, are the So- cialists so prominent in both the Knights of Labor and the trades unions? Why are they so anxious to proclaim their doctrines?
 It is because the Socialists, of all the members of these associations, arc the men of the strongest convictions and most definite purposes. They know ex- actly what they want to do, and have a pretty precise plan by which to accom- plish their ends. Besides, they are uni ted, and closely united, while the rest are split up into opposing factions, all of which have only very loose and general notion of what they want and of the methods for attaining it.
 | I.n al. ,,f, ions and well-deiined theory, and such men are always bound to make them selves heard and felt in debate. They talk to the point have theory to teach, and the zeal of enthusiasts earnest to make converts to their faith. They have something to defend and something to advocate, and those who listen to them are not at all at all at a loss to find out what it is Therefore they can engage attention, while the rambling discourse of men who do not exactly know their own minds, and can do no more than ex- press discontent, without suggesting . practical remedy, is pretty sure to soon exhaust the patience of their hearers.
 Therefore, in the nature of things, ac- cording to all experience, the Socialists are bound tC beat Mr. Powderly and the Knights of Labor or break up the whole organization They will either rule or ruin, make the order socialistlc society, or go outside to fight it, and, like all men of positive convictions and strong parti- sanship, they will not lack for followers. As it is, they are gaining rather than losing strength in the labor organizations, of which, in truth, they are the most I,p Ia nd in, attacking them Mir. Powderly prepares the way for his own downfall.
 It is useless for him to undertake to keep the Knights of Labor together and yet to make war against the 'soclallstlc element" On the one side he has the trades unions fighting him, and now he invites an even bitterer attack from the Socialists, who despise him as a milk-and- water character incapable of devlslng practical measures for relief from the grievances of which he talks in q general and commonplace way. That is un- doubtedly the feeling of the "socialistlc element" and it will manifest itself more and more unmlstakably.
 The signs of dissolution for the Knights of Labor are multiplying. Mir. Powder lys salary has been raised, but his power has declined; and even if he keeps his place as leader of the organization, 1t will be at the expense of losing the most vigorous of it's forces.
 What is Dana's object in scolding Powderly and telling the people that Socialists mean to "rule or ruin?" He certainly don't do it to befrlend the Socialists; and he don't do 1t to benefit Organized Labor. He won't succeed in his evil intentions, how ever,